Pancreas Flashcards
What are Langhan’s giant cells associated with?
Granulomatous disease processes such as tuberculosis
Langhan’s giant cells contain nuclei arranged in a horseshoe configuration.
What is the typical cell size range for lymphocytes?
6-14 µm
Lymphocytes are characterized by their small size and round shape.
Describe the cytoplasmic staining of lymphocytes.
Very lightly cyanophilic but often absent
This indicates that lymphocytes may not show strong staining characteristics.
What is the nuclear shape and chromasia of lymphocytes?
Round and typically hyperchromatic
Hyperchromatic nuclei indicate a high concentration of DNA.
What type of inflammation do lymphocytes represent?
Chronic inflammation
Lymphocytes are often present alongside histiocytes in chronic inflammatory conditions.
What are the characteristics of eosinophils?
- Cell size: 12-15 µm
- Cell shape: round
- Cytoplasmic staining: eosinophilic
- Nuclear shape: bi-lobed
- Nuclear chromasia: normochromatic-hyperchromatic
Eosinophils are involved in allergic responses and parasitic infections.
What is the role of plasma cells?
Transformed B lymphocytes capable of producing antibodies
Plasma cells are often found in chronic inflammatory processes.
Describe the cytologic criteria of plasma cells.
- Cell size: 12-15 µm
- Cytoplasmic staining: eosinophilic, less frequently cyanophilic
- Nuclear shape: round
- Nuclear location: eccentric
Plasma cells exhibit a distinct nuclear arrangement known as clock-face chromatin.
What is the significance of neutrophils in cytology specimens?
Indicate acute inflammation
Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells present during acute inflammatory responses.
What indicates a satisfactory cervical smear in relation to neutrophils?
If >50% but <75% of cellular detail is obscured by neutrophils
This requires that the smear has an adequate number of epithelial cells.
What are the cytologic features of red blood cells (RBCs)?
- Cell size: 35 µm
- Cell shape: round-oval
- Arrangement: isolated/single, clumps
- Staining reaction: variable, typically eosinophilic
RBCs can indicate bleeding or hemorrhage in cytology specimens.
What happens to RBCs when they degenerate?
They disintegrate into multiple red/orange fibers tangled together
This is identified as hemosiderin or old blood in cytologic specimens.
What are histiocytes and their role?
Phagocytic cells that engulf microorganisms and cellular debris
They are part of the reticuloendothelial system.
What is the cell size and shape of eosinophils?
Cell size: 12-15 µm; Cell shape: round
Eosinophils are characterized by their granular cytoplasm.
What indicates an unsatisfactory cervical smear in relation to neutrophils?
If >75% of the cellular detail is obscured by neutrophils
This requires no atypical or abnormal cells to be identified.
What is the significance of the presence of WBCs in cytology specimens?
Indicates an inflammatory process
WBCs transport from blood vessels into affected tissues.
What is the typical nuclear shape of histiocytes?
Reniform/kidney bean or round
This shape helps in identifying histiocytes in cytologic specimens.
Fill in the blank: Plasma cells are transformed _______ that produce antibodies.
B lymphocytes
Plasma cells are crucial in the immune response.
What type of chromatin pattern is associated with plasma cells?
Clock-face chromatin or cart-wheel
This pattern is due to large chromatin particles attached to the nuclear membrane.
